Why Mutual Aid Matters—And How You Can Help
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A box of free groceries. A warm meal at a friend's house. As a child, those moments were not just instances of relief—they were lifelines. They demonstrated to me that someone cared and that I wasn’t invisible. This is the power of mutual aid, and why I’m so proud to be part of Stone Soup Café. Hi there, I’m Mike Philips. I began volunteering with Stone Soup Café in 2020. I later took on the role of prep shift lead, helped launch the Culinary Institute, and recently had the honor of being elected to the Board of Directors. Let me share why Stone Soup Café’s mission means so much to me—and why it might resonate with you as well. — — — — — I remember what it was like to have no food in the house and how traumatic this was for my family. I witnessed the pain and guilt that my mom lived with as she was forced to choose between meeting rent or feeding her children. Mutual aid got us through tough times. I remember how relieved I was while playing at a friend's house when their mom would insist that I stay for dinner. Or when we were able to pick up a box of groceries or a hot meal every couple of weeks from a community support group in my hometown. This support made a huge difference for my family. People were looking out for us. I felt seen, valued, and a little more safe. |
Posted: to Community Newsletter on Tue, Dec 31, 2024
Updated: Fri, Jan 3, 2025
I think of mutual aid as a network of caring and generosity. It's about neighbors showing up for one another.
It’s not charity; it’s community. Mutual aid acknowledges that we all have something to give and that, at some point, we all need some support.
When capitalism falls short—when trickle-down economics fails and government programs don’t reach everyone—mutual aid works. We saw this clearly during the pandemic when neighbors stepped up to care for each other in ways that policies couldn’t.
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And here’s the thing: participating in mutual aid feels good.
When I feel down, empty, or alone, finding a way to help someone else helps me start to feel better. I show up to volunteer with Stone Soup because I believe in the mission and because the work makes me feel good.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world right now, double down on building community. I promise you— it helps.
Stone Soup Café is one of the most successful and longest-running Pay-What-You-Can restaurants on the planet. And it’s right here in Western Massachusetts! It’s a shining example of what’s possible when a community commits to caring for itself.
At Stone Soup Café, mutual aid is baked into everything we do. Every Saturday, our Pay-What-You-Can Community Meal serves over 600 nutritious, made-from-scratch meals to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
Our Pay-What-You-Can Community Store provides weekly groceries, produce, and personal care items to over 100 households.
It works because of the hundreds of volunteers who prepare meals with love, because of our dedicated and caring staff, and because of you –– community members who believe in showing up for one another.
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So, I’m asking you to reaffirm your commitment to this community-based solution to food insecurity. |
DONATE - WHAT - YOU - CAN |
I'm not food insecure anymore, but food insecurity continues to be a crisis across America and yes, even in our "Happy Valley" bubble. Your neighbors need you.
Please consider what you have in abundance, and contribute some of that to the community.
Whether it’s time, skills, talent, money, or anything else, your involvement is appreciated. Give what you can... take what you need.
Mike Philips, Board Member
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